Welchville, located in Oxford, Maine, is a timber crib dam constructed in 1860 on the Little Androscoggin River.
Wind
Humidity
This dam serves multiple purposes and has a storage capacity of 5232 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 2544 acre-feet. The dam is 16 feet high and has a spillway width of 12 feet, making it a crucial water resource for the area.
Managed by the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Welchville is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state authorities. Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, Welchville has not been assessed for its condition as of its last assessment in 2017. The dam is also not equipped with Emergency Action Plans or inundation maps, raising concerns for risk management and emergency preparedness.
With its historical significance and essential role in water resource management, Welchville represents a valuable asset for the local community and highlights the importance of maintaining and assessing aging infrastructure to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources in the region. Climate and water resource enthusiasts would find Welchville an intriguing case study for exploring the intersection of historical infrastructure, regulatory oversight, and emergency preparedness in the face of changing climate conditions.
Year Completed |
1860 |
Dam Length |
146 |
Dam Height |
16 |
River Or Stream |
Little Androscoggin |
Primary Dam Type |
Timber Crib |
Surface Area |
336 |
Hydraulic Height |
8 |
Drainage Area |
196 |
Nid Storage |
5232 |
Structural Height |
16 |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Nid Height |
16 |
Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris
|
57cfs |
Androscoggin River Near Auburn
|
2700cfs |
Nezinscot River At Turner Center
|
43cfs |
Saco River At Cornish
|
1020cfs |
Androscoggin River At Rumford
|
2150cfs |
Presumpscot River At Westbrook
|
-999999cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Dunn's Campground
|
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SEEDS OF PEACE CAMP
|
||
Hoop Basketball Camp
|
||
Laurel South
|
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Community Room
|
||
Salmon Point City Campground
|